CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) - The American Heart Association is expanding access to blood pressure machines by adding monitoring equipment to 14 Greater Richmond YMCA locations over the next year.

“Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure and most people don’t even know it,” said Michelle Nostheide with the American Heart Association.

Three YMCAs are currently part of a pilot program for the initiative, including the Manchester YMCA in Chesterfield. The machines guide users through step-by-step instructions for proper measurement.

“You’re going to insert your right arm, in this case, in here until you feel your elbow sort of cradled in the machine,” Nostheide said, demonstrating the process. “It’s going to take your pulse.”

Rima Zabian, executive director of Advancing Whole H

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